Alpha Male or Alpha Female?

Basenji Talk

  • Are basenjis ruled by the alpha male or alpha female? Mister Two Dicks is a 3 1/2 year old male basenji that I have had for 2 years. Three days ago I adopted Pepper, an 18 month old female. No wonder they call them bitches. Although they seem to have accepted each other, Pepper has "stolen" Mister Two Dicks' favorite lounge spot. I have a single lounge with an old blanket laying across it. Until she came along it was his spot. Yesterday she was laying on it and he was trying to pull the blanket and her off the lounge chair. She just stood her ground and growled at him. He gave up. The same thing happened today. It seems that although she is younger, she will rule the roost with him. Is this normal for basenji packs?


  • Yes, its normal, and things will go best if you back her with this behavior.
    Bitches most always rule.
    The males expect it.
    If you support her, there should be little conflict.


  • I agree… typically bitches rule


  • Its funny that you mentioned this…

    Kylie, (my breeder), told me that Ochre would definately rule over Saba, once she matured, possibly after her first season... Well she is 17 months old now, and she appears to have no inkling to rule, at all... In fact he is definately 'the boss', she is VERY respectful of him, all the time. I guess she could be boss over him at anytime she wants, but right now she is happy being 'number 2', in the pack of 3 :)

    Vanda, on the other hand, pushes Saba to the limit, she has been told off by him a number of times, and is gutsy enough, (read stoopid...), to answer him back. Funnily enough she actually doesnt push Ochre, (much), when they have a tiff :). Need to keep an eye on the 2 girls, methinks !!!


  • The lead dog or bitch is usually the least snarky of the lot. At least that's been my and my gramma's experience.


  • Rally most definately is believes girls rule and so though Nicky is the eldest in the pack, in almost all situations he is the low man on the totem pole. In some situations, he takes the lead but they are rare.

    In my mom's household, TC has never really pushed for much and integrated into the household fairly easily. Baby Bella on the other hand believes the same as her cousin Rally, Girls Rule, and she expects both my mom's boys to acknowledge that. This usually isn't too big a deal but every so often it creates friction.


  • Thanks everyone. Great answers. I think Mister Two Dicks is in for a hard life. LOL


  • Cheyanne is defiantly the "little momma" here LOL when the boys are playing and she thinks there to rough she steps in and they both have that deer in the headlight look and stop in there tracks :)


  • @tanza:

    I agree… typically bitches rule

    Yaaaaay !!!!!!!!!!!

    Sorry couldn't resist :D

  • Houston

    Our itty bitty 10lbs non B, Luna, is our alphabitch, she rules those boys like it is nobodies business, and they let her..

    Seems to be very harmonious in the pack, so I am not going to interfer..


  • My 11 month old bitch, Shaye, is definitely the alpha female - when we adopted her 18 month old companion girl, Gemma, it took no time at all to establish that no matter that Gemma was older and bigger, Shaye rules this roost. Of course, Gemma is only about 90% basenji, with a little sheltie thrown in somewhere back there.


  • Im beginning to think my Ochre is broken :o:o:o

Suggested Topics

  • Two male Basenji Puppies

    Basenji Talk
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    Always say, opposites are best... are these littermates? Even with opposites, many times littermates are a problem... as they competed as babies for everything.... and we say, it works till it doesn't... Is there a reason you want two of the same sex? and you need to be prepared that if they don't get along you will need to separate... I was very lucky but very concerned about the two bitches I got at the same time, 2wks in age apart... I looked at the temperament of both before deciding... and LUCKED out... I have one very confident bitch and one not.. but they have meshed well together with the confident bitch not concerned with being "top" in the house, she knows she is but doesn't need to prove it.... still it took till my one bitch had puppies to prove to me that she was OK in her skin and have remained friends since... even with her puppies. IMO (in my opinion) unless you are looking to breed at some point, not worth the chance... been the other route too... and it is NOT fun
  • Advice for raising two females

    Basenji Talk
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    Patty MP
    Hi Sarah, congratulations on your new puppy! I have two females that are 3 and 5; they've lived together for 1.5 years. When they met, the younger one wanted to assert herself as the dominant one, and the older one acquiesced…. they've determined their roles, so there really isn't an issue here. The younger one, Lola, is a "licker" and often initiates playtime. If the older one doesn't want to play, she will snark at Lola, who then decides that the new game is to clean Becca's ears. :) I think the guideline to introduce them in a neutral place is a good one until you know how they will interact when your puppy goes to visit Bananas. Hugs and roos! Patty
  • Any suggestions for female aggression issues?

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    A
    Its been two months which is not really a lot of time. I will add that there were some other issues and we have been sucessfull at correcting those. A great suggestion on them meeting outside in the morning. Definately worth a shot and I have some ideas already. Thanks!
  • Female in Heat

    Basenji Talk
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    BasenjiMayaB
    @Andrew: As far as diapers go, my breeder recommended this, as basenjis are quick to tear them off and the cost can add up. Buy the smallest size boy's toddler underpants you can find. Cut a hole for the tail. Put a pantyliner in. I bought a 5 pack last year, and since you can custom cut the hole, it stays on a little better. I got the 2T size & had to safety pin it so it wouldn't fall off of Callie, but it was $3 for 5 & well worth it. Thanks so much. I had another friend recommend this as well. Maya still tried to chew them, but it's much easier on the pocket book : )
  • Do females howl?

    Basenji Talk
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    6k Views
    snorky998S
    Bdawg, I love those short talkie sounds. Katie does those all the time. I especially love the 2:00 minute mark when Lexi throws herself to the floor, just like a toddler in a temper tantrum!! Ty has always been a yodeler/howler and rapid tail wagger, but he never acquired the shorter "speech patterns". Katie is the mouthier short speech maker, but only yodels as a greeting to immediate family or to remind of a forgotten treat. She also only wags when extremely excited (ie.."look what I just stole" moments)
  • Want #2.. male or female?

    Basenji Talk
    30
    0 Votes
    30 Posts
    9k Views
    luzmery928L
    ues escpecially since he's my first born(lol) I will be most protective of him